If there’s one room whose complete remodeling can add thousands to a home’s value, it’s the kitchen. While most kitchen renovation guides will tell you to update the counters, appliances, or backsplash, another upgrade that you should consider is the kitchen sink. While it’s one of the most used areas in your house, it’s often one of the most neglected and outdated.
So, if you’re thinking of a kitchen sink remodel, you may wonder what your options are. How do you know what type of kitchen sink is right for you? Here’s what you need to keep in mind!
Size, Style, and Configuration
The first thing you should consider when looking into a kitchen sink remodel is the size, style, and configuration of it. Most homeowners and cooks want a fairly deep sink, so the average sink depth nowadays is between eight and ten inches.
Almost every kitchen sink is designed to fit in a standard, twenty-four-inch sink cabinet base. And as far as width is concerned, you’ll want a sink that’s about three inches narrower than your base cabinet. So, if your cabinet is three feet across, you’ll want a sink that’s thirty-three inches across.
With your size sorted out, it’s time to consider the bow configuration that works best for you.
Triple Bowl
One of the latest kitchen sink ideas to get popular is the triple bowl configuration. This sink configuration consists of two normal-sized sink bowls and a smaller one in the middle. (This smaller sink bowl usually contains the garbage disposal, if that’s desired.) However, this sink configuration takes up an enormous amount of space, and people who use it often find that the third bowl in the center gets in the way more than it helps.
Double Bowl
The double bowl is one of the most popular sink configurations available, with good reason. They make it easier to handle two tasks at the same time, like washing dishes, defrosting meat, and preparing food. You can get sinks where both bowls are the same size, or where one is bigger than the other. However, sometimes, a double bowl sink’s two bowls might be smaller than a single bowl’s one.
Single Bowl
A single bowl sink, as the name would suggest, is a sink with a single bowl. As home cooking has become more popular, so too have these sinks, which allow for easy washing of large pots and sheet pans. However, if you’re using the one bowl for multiple tasks, you might have to do some creative juggling with your space and faucet placement.
Installation Method
There are four common installation methods for a new kitchen sink, each with its own advantages and issues. Here’s what you should know about each of them:
Undermounted Method
Undermounted sinks are mounted under the countertop, hence their name. The sink openings are cut to match the sink one to one, which allows you to sweep food and liquids into the bowl, rather than risking them getting caught on a lip. However, this installation method will cost several hundred dollars to mount.
Farmhouse Method
Farmhouse sinks are, in fact, under-mounted sinks. However, they often have the front of the sink bowl exposed and finished, as in this white bowl sink shown here. This installation method requires a specialized cabinet capable of supporting more weight than the standard configuration.
Tile-In Method
Tile-in sinks are, in essence, drop-in sinks made for tile countertops. They’re created so that the edges are flush with the countertop without any lips. However, there is typically a grout line between the surrounding tile and the edge of your sink, so have your de-grouting tools ready!
Drop-In Method
Drop-in sinks are by far the most common installation method for kitchen sinks. In this method, the sink gets dropped in and lays on top of the countertop. However, due to this, there’s often a lip or rim around the sink that’s a magnet for food, grime, and other nastiness. If you try to wipe any food crumbles or liquids into the bowl, it will just get caught on the lip.
Material Matters
Lastly, when you’re trying to find the perfect new kitchen sink for you, you need to consider what material you want the sink to be made from. Most people know of stainless steel and porcelain sinks, but there are many other materials available, including:
Copper
Copper sinks are an expensive alternative to stainless steel that will develop a greenish patina as they age. They have a distinctive look and finish that caters to very specific tastes. However, this material is expensive to work with, and you must be prepared to do regular maintenance if you want to keep it looking shiny and new.
Natural Stone
Natural stone sinks are incredibly beautiful and offer exceptional sound deadening. They also make a great choice to pair with natural or faux stone countertops, where they blend in seamlessly. However, they are by far the most expensive material to work with and will require special supporting brackets to keep their massive weight in place.
Fireclay
Fireclay has the appearance of classic porcelain, but it is a less porous (and thus safer to use) material. However, it’s also heavier and more expensive than porcelain and may require special braces and brackets to support its weight.
Composite
Composite sinks purport to offer the look of natural stone without the weight or price. However, while they may look like stone, these polymer-granite mixes often have issues with staining and scratches.
What to Consider for a Kitchen Sink Remodel?
So, what should you keep in mind for your next kitchen sink remodel? First, its size and the configuration you want. Then, the installation method and materials. If you keep all of these elements in mind while shopping for a new kitchen sink, you’ll find the one that’s perfect for your newly remodeled cooking space.
If you found this article on what to consider when you remodel a kitchen sink helpful and would like to read more like it, check out our blog each day for more home improvement content like this!
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